Rapid Spinning Liquid Immersion Beverage Supercooler

ABSTRACT

Methods, processes, apparatus, kits and systems for chilling and cooling closed bottled or canned beverages, desserts, and food items to selected desired temperatures by rapidly rotating and counter-rotating the bottled or canned beverages, desserts, and food items that are immersed in cooled liquids in short time spans to a super cooled temperature wherein an effect can cause slush-on-demand.

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/298,117 filed Jun. 6, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,845,988, which claimsthe benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/966,106 filed Feb. 18, 2014. The entire disclosure of each of theapplications listed in this paragraph are incorporated by specificreference thereto.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to cooling and chilling beverages, desserts, andfood items, and in particular to methods, processes, apparatus, kits andsystems for chilling and cooling bottled or canned beverages, desserts,and food items to selected desired temperatures by rapidly rotating andcounter-rotating the bottled or canned beverages, desserts, and fooditems that are immersed in cooled liquids in short time spans.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Packaged-ice, such as different weights of bagged ice has been popularto be used in portable coolers to chill canned and bottled beverages.Packaged-ice has generally become standardized over the past decadeswith a few popular sizes in the U.S. and around the world dominating thesales. For example, the 10 lb bag of packaged-ice is the most popularretail version of packaged-ice in the U.S., followed in descendingpopularity by 20 lb, 8 lb, 7 lb and 5 lb bags of packaged-ice.

In Canada, the United Kingdom(UK), and other European countries, otherstandard sizes such as but not limited to 6 lb (2.7 kg), and 26.5 lb (12kg) are also very popular forms of packaged-ice.

The bags of packaged-ice generally comprise loose ice cubes, chips andthe like, that are frozen fresh water. The standard use of the bags ofice is having the consumer place the bag(s) loosely in coolercontainers, and then adding canned and/or bottled beverages, such assodas, waters to the coolers containing the packaged-ice.

Due to the melting properties of the fresh-water ice, canned and bottledbeverages placed in ice cannot be chilled below 32 degrees Fahrenheitfor any significant length of time, which is the known general freezingpoint.

Over the years the addition of ice-melters such as salt have been knownto be used to lower the melting point of fresh-water ice. Forms of usingsalt have included sprinkling loose salt on packed-ice in a cooler toproduce lower temperatures for certain canned and bottled beveragesplaced inside. Sprinkling salt has been tried with beer, since beer willnot freeze at 32 degrees due to its alcohol content. However, the use ofsprinkling loose salt has problems.

Due to the uneven spread of salt on ice, it is impossible to know orcontrol precisely the resulting temperate below 32 degrees on variousice-cubes in the cooler obtained by sprinkling of salt. Salt sprinklinghas inevitably resulted in some of the beverages “freezing hard” whileothers remain liquid and sometimes at temperatures above 32 degrees. Assuch, the spreading of salt or other ice-melters on packaged-ice in acooler to obtain colder temperatures than 32 degrees is an impracticalmethod to know and control precisely the resulting temperature ofice-cubes in a cooler environment.

Some recent trends in custom cold beverage creation at home and atcommercial establishments rely on traditional refrigeration and/orplacing ice inside the beverage to obtain cold temperatures. At homecustom beverage creating devices such as SODASTREAM® by Soda-Club (CO2)Atlantic GmbH, and KEURIG COLD™ by Keurig Green Mountain Inc. each relyon one of these traditional methods for cooling, and each of thesedevices having significant drawbacks.

Traditional refrigeration offers a relatively slow and inefficientmethod of cooling, requiring hours to obtain approximately 40 F drinkingtemperatures.

Placing ice inside a beverage, while providing very rapid cooling and‘ice-cold’ temperature, has the drawbacks of; 1) watered-down flavoring,2) introducing impurities, and 3) causing premature de-carbonation ofcarbonated beverages.

The non-traditional method of cooling canned and bottled beveragesrapidly by spinning then on their longitudinal axis while the can orbottle is in contact with ice or ‘ice-cold’ liquid (usually fresh waterat or near approximately 32 deg-F) has also been attempted. See forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,054 to Loibl et al. This patent describes arapid beverage cooling method and device that attempts to reducebeverage cooling times from hours to close to a minute without puttingice in the beverage.

Other devices, such as the SPINCHILL™ device, shown on the web atwww.spinchill.com use portable type drills with a suction cup which canattach to one end of a canned beverage and claim ‘cooling times’ of 60seconds or less for canned beverages spun at roughly 450 rpm in astandard ice-cooler containing ice and/or iced-water, though the term‘cooling’ is used loosely and generally describes a beverage temperaturebetween 40-50 F or thereabouts.

These non-traditional beverage cooling devices mentioned above and theirtechniques generally spin canned or bottled beverages at a constantrpm(revolutions per minute)rate in one-direction only. These devicesgenerally expose surface are of the can or bottle over and over again toice or cold liquid in order to rapidly cool the beverage.

These devices also seek to minimize agitation inside the canned orbottled beverage by spinning them at relatively mild rates of 350-500rpm which, they claim, is optimal for rapid cooling and preventsundesirable foaming of carbonated beverages and beer.

These devices will still require a few to several minutes of spinning ina cooling medium in order to obtain ‘ice-cold’ drinking temperatures forthe beverages, and have no automated way of communicating exactly when abeverage has reached its' optimal or lowest drinking temperature.

Moreover, none of these devices seek to maximize heat transfercoefficients (thereby minimizing cooling times) via utilization of 1)Liquid-immersion, 2) Turbulent fluid flow within the beverage container,and 3) Turbulent fluid-flow within the cooling medium.

It has been known for many years that alcoholic and non-alcoholicbottled and canned beverages of all varieties, including bottled water,can be super cooled below 32 deg-F while remaining liquid for shortperiods of time. What is not generally known is how to cool thesebeverages rapidly to precise super cooled temperatures which allow forenjoyable ‘slush-on-demand’ drinking experiences while preventingunwanted or premature freezing which can result in undesirable effectssuch as 1) premature foaming or release of carbonation in an undesirableway, and 2) hard frozen or ‘chunky’ frozen beverages which are difficultto consume.

In addition, the prior art generally does not have ability to supercoolbeverages below 32-degrees and/or below their own freezing point whilekeeping them in a liquid state to allow for previously impossiblebeverage options, such as creating instant milkshakes from super cooledmilk beverages and creating instant smoothies from super cooled fruitand vegetable juices without the need to blend-in chopped-ice into thesmoothie.

Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the priorart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide methods,processes, apparatus, kits and systems for chilling and cooling bottledor canned beverages, desserts, and food items to selected desiredtemperatures by rapidly rotating and counter-rotating the bottled orcanned beverages, desserts, and food items that are immersed in cooledliquids in short time spans.

A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide methods,processes, apparatus, kits and systems for chilling and cooling bottledor canned beverages, desserts, and food items to selected desiredtemperatures, by automatically communicating exactly when a beverage hasreached its' optimal or lowest drinking temperature.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide methods,processes, apparatus, kits and systems for chilling and cooling bottledor canned beverages, desserts, and food items rapidly to precise supercooled temperatures which allow for enjoyable ‘slush-on-demand’ drinkingexperiences while preventing unwanted or premature freezing which canresult in undesirable effects such as 1) premature foaming or release ofcarbonation in an undesirable way, and 2) hard frozen or ‘chunky’ frozenbeverages which are difficult to consume.

A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide methods,processes, apparatus, kits and systems to supercool beverages below32-degrees and/or below their own freezing point while keeping them in aliquid state to allow for previously impossible beverage options, suchas creating instant milkshakes from super cooled milk beverages andcreating instant smoothies from super cooled fruit and vegetable juiceswithout the need to blend-in chopped-ice into the smoothie.

The invention provides preferred embodiments for beverage cooling torange of 15 deg-F to 26 deg-F allowing for a wide variety of alcoholicand non-alcoholic bottled and canned beverages to be super cooled (fromroom temperature)—remaining in liquid form—in as little as 10 to 20seconds in some cases (less or more depending on size and type ofcontainer and liquid immersion temperatures).

In addition to supercooling, the invention allows for the rapid andprecise cooling into any temperature range desired by maximizingheat-transfer coefficients across multiple regions of the coolingsystem.

By maximizing the heat transfer coefficients of the entire beveragecooling system via a sub-cooled liquid immersion medium and turbulentflow in both the beverage container and the liquid immersion medium, theinvention is able to minimize beverage cooling times in order to make itpractical to incorporate the technology into a vending environment, abar, or a household or portable beverage supercooling device.

The addition of temperature sensors that are in contact with thebeverage container and/or the liquid immersion medium and incommunication with a ‘smart’ electronic timer allows the presentinvention to inform and/or alert the user to the exact time required andprecise temperature obtained (within approx. +/−1 or 2 deg-F) within thebeverage container.

To create turbulent flow within the beverage container andsimultaneously prevent unwanted nucleation during cooling (eithernucleation of the carbonation within the liquid or nucleation-freezingof the liquid) the beverage container such as a cylindrical can, and thelike, can be spun on axis in a vertical position at very high RPM(generally >1000 RPM, and potentially as high as 10,000 RPM or more) forshort periods of time (generally less than 1 second, but can be more orless) and then spun in the reverse direction for an equally short periodof time.

This process can be repeated until the desired and selected temperatureis reached inside the beverage container. This rapid spinning andreversing direction process greatly improves heat transfer and thusgreatly reduces beverage cooling times compared to the prior art.

Moreover, prior art patents (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,054 toLoibl et al., which is incorporated by reference suggest an inverserelationship between cooling times and higher RPM when spinning above345-400 RPM, which indicates an incomplete understanding of heattransfer inside the canned or bottled beverages which is misleading,limiting, and would not have led to the present invention or discovery.

For another embodiment, in order to create turbulent flow within theliquid immersion medium, one or more high-volume liquid pumps can beactivated in concert with the directional spinning of the beveragecontainer to create turbulent flow and maximize heat transfer away fromthe beverage container into the liquid medium.

By maximizing heat transfer coefficients and reducing cooling time, thismethod becomes an energy-efficient way to cool individual canned orbottled beverages rapidly, offering energy-efficiency advantages overlarger air-based refrigerated systems that require hours of run-time tocool a few beverages.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the presently preferredembodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away view of a rapid-spinning liquid-immersionsingle-beverage supercooler with high-speed motor and spinningapparatus, insulated liquid-immersion cavity, optional self-containedrefrigeration and heat-transfer system, high-flow liquid turbulencepumps, temperature sensors, digital control(s) and various poweradapters.

FIG. 2 is a partial see-through view of a preferred embodiment of arapid-spinning liquid-immersion single-beverage supercooler with atop-mounted high-rpm motor, a double-walled ‘clear’ plastic or glassliquid immersion cavity, an optional bottom-mounted self-containedrefrigeration and heat-transfer system, high-flow liquid turbulencepumps, temperature sensors, digital control(s) and various potentialpower adapters.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a multiple beverage rapid-spinningliquid-immersion supercooler.

FIG. 4 shows the potential telescoping base for automatic rapid beverageejection from the liquid cooling medium.

FIG. 5 shows a touch screen timer user interface containing variousinputs, selections, and sensory outputs on a user control interface.

FIG. 6 shows a self-contained touch-screen timer user interfacecontaining electrical connections, battery, protective case and cover,attaching bracket, and temperature sensor with mini-pump.

FIG. 7 is an exploded-view of a self-contained touch-screen timer userinterface similar to that shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention indetail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplications to the details of the particular arrangements shown sincethe invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of PreferredEmbodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made toparticular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is tobe understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specificationincludes all possible combinations of such particular features. Forexample, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of aparticular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can alsobe used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in thecontext of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention,and in the invention generally.

In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be describedmore fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichpreferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled inthe art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and primenotation is used to indicate similar elements in alternativeembodiments.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. Unless otherwise defined, technical andscientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionpertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention, suitable methods and materials are described below.

Any publications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Incase of conflict, the present specification, including any definitions,will control. In addition, the materials, methods and examples given areillustrative in nature only and not intended to be limiting.Accordingly, this invention may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments setforth herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided solelyfor exemplary purposes so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Other features and advantages of the invention willbe apparent from the following detailed description and from the claims.

A list of the components will now be described.

-   10 Rapid-Spinning Liquid-Immersion Beverage Supercooler Apparatus-   20 Motor head(high speed motor)-   25, 26 Beverage-holder assembly-   28 single or dual rechargeable battery-   30 Thermally insulated liquid immersion cavity-   40. Liquid immersion medium-   45. Ice-   50 Lower beverage container holder-   60 Liquid turbulence pumps-   80 Liquid immersion temperature sensor-   90 Beverage container temperature sensor-   95 heat-transfer plugs-   100 Self contained refrigeration and heat exchange system/unit-   120 compressor-   130 evaporator-   140 condenser-   150 battery system-   160, 170 electrical connections-   161 wall-plugged transformer-   162 12V automotive cigarette-light adapter-   171 wall-plugged transformer-   172 12V automotive cigarette-light adapter-   200 Interface microcontroller mechanism-   310 rapid-spinning liquid-immersion single-beverage supercooler-   320 bi-directional motor-   330 glass or plastic liquid immersion cavity-   400 Self-contained refrigeration unit-   480 Multiple beverage unit-   485 Telescoping support-   500 Timer-   510 Circuit board-   520 Display-   530 liquid medium temperature-   540 countdown timer-   550 temperature-   560 container size-   570 starting drink temperature-   580 Start-end button-   590 Reset button-   600 container position selection-   610 up and down arrow selections-   620 turbo-pump on/off selection-   630 bag or membrane use selection-   700 Timer apparatus-   710 self-contained case-   715 self-contained case-   725 rechargeable battery and connectors-   730 protective transparent lid-   740 mounting bracket-   750 precision temperature probe-   760 pump-   770 standardized jack-   780 Connector-   790 Power adapter

TABLE 1 illustrates the obtained supercool temperatures and rapidcooling times of various canned and bottled beverages (between 8 oz and16 oz) starting at a room temperature of approximately 75 F(approximately 24.0 C) using a prototype of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention rotating at 2500 rpm(which can includeapproximately 2500 rpm) and switching directions every 0.65seconds(which can include approximately 0.65 seconds). The termapproximately can include +/−10%.

These cooling times and temperatures are significantly faster and lowerthan those mentioned in referenced in the prior art, such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,054 to Loibl et al., and have noundesirable ‘side-effects’ of pre-released carbonation or foaming.

TABLE 1 Container Type/Size Final Beverage Temp Time (Seconds)  8 ozPlastic Bottles 18 F. (−7.8 C.) 40 sec 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 35 sec  8 oz Cans18 F. (−7.8 C.) 20 sec 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 16 sec 12 oz Cans 18 F. (−7.8 C.)24 sec 12 oz Cans 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 18 sec 16 oz Cans 18 F. (−7.8 C.) 32sec 16 oz Cans 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 25 sec 12 oz Plastic Bottles 18 F. (−7.8C.) 55 sec 12 oz Plastic Bottles 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 45 sec 16 oz GlassBottles 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 95 sec

TABLE 2 illustrates the obtained supercool temperatures and rapidcooling times of various canned and bottled beverages (between 20 oz and2 Liters) starting at a room temperature of approximately 75 F(approximately 24.0 C) using a prototype of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention rotating at 2500 rpm(which can includeapproximately 2500 rpm) and switching directions every 0.65seconds(which can include approximately 0.65 seconds). The termapproximately can include +/−100. These cooling times and temperatureshave no undesirable ‘side-effects’ of pre-released carbonation orfoaming.

TABLE 2 Container Type/Size Final Beverage Temp Time (Seconds) 20 ozPlastic Bottles 18 F. (−7.8 C.) 75 sec 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 60 sec 20 oz Cans18 F. (−7.8 C.) 45 sec 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 35 sec 32 oz Plastic Bottles 18F. (−7.8 C.) 95 sec 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 80 sec 64 oz Plastic Bottles 18 F.(−7.8 C.) 150-210 sec 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 120-280 sec 2 Liter PlasticBottles 18 F. (−7.8 C.) 300 sec 22 F. (−5.6 C.) 260 sec

TABLE 2 can also be used for other larger beverage containers, such asbut not limited to 48 oz, 1 liter and 3 liter plastic bottles, and thelike. Additionally, different glass bottles having the sizes listed inthe above tables can also be included.

TABLES 1 and 2 can include the specific temperatures an times listed.Additionally, each of the listed specific temperatures and times can beeach include approximately in front of the listed temperatures andtimes, where approximately can include +/−10%.

The times listed in TABLES 1 and 2 are from room temperature to thefinal temperature. Each of the times listed in both the listed times andin approximately the listed times can be reduced at least half, if theinitial temperature is from a refrigerated temperature of approximately34 F to the supercooled temperature.

While the switch times between rotating and counter-rotating has beentested at 0.65 seconds(including approximately 0.65 seconds), theinvention can be practiced with different values of rpm(revolutions perminute) and switch times as illustrated in TABLE 3.

TABLE 3 Operating Parameter Broad Range Narrow Range Preferred Rotation(RPM) 500-10,000 1,000-5,000 2,500 Switch Time (Sec) 1/10-2 3/10-10.3-0.7

While the rpm and seconds list specific values, each of the values caninclude approximately those values, where approximately includes +/−10%.

The operating parameters of rpm and switch times can also be used withthe alternatively rotating and counter-rotating of the various beveragecontainers referenced in TABLES 1 and 2, and can include additionalapplications for chilling of beverage containers. For example, abeverage container being rotated at approximately 1,000 rpm can beswitched between rotations and alternative rotations at switch times ofapproximately 3/10 of a second per rotation.

The beverage container rotations in TABLES 1, 2 and 3 can include thebeverage containers initially being alternatively rotated betweenclockwise(CW) and counter-clockwise(CCW), by starting at clockwise(CW)or starting at counter-clockwise(CCW).

FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away view of a rapid-spinning liquid-immersionsingle-beverage supercooler with high-speed motor and spinningapparatus, insulated liquid-immersion cavity, optional self-containedrefrigeration and heat-transfer system, high-flow liquid turbulencepumps, temperature sensors, digital control(s) and various poweradapters. It shows a high-rpm(revolutions per minute) motor mounted atthe top capable of rapidly spinning the beverage and rapidly changingthe direction of spin. Support, holding/retaining mechanisms for varioussized canned and bottled beverages are also shown.

FIG. 2 is a partial see-through view of a preferred embodiment of arapid-spinning liquid-immersion single-beverage supercooler with atop-mounted high-rpm motor, a double-walled ‘clear’ plastic or glassliquid immersion cavity, an optional bottom-mounted self-containedrefrigeration and heat-transfer system, high-flow liquid turbulencepumps, temperature sensors, digital control(s) and various potentialpower adapters.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a Rapid-Spinning Liquid-Immersion BeverageSupercooler Apparatus 10 and its associated methods according to thepresent invention. In a first preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1,the device can include a rapid spinning bi-directional motor head 20,beverage holder assembly 25, 26, a thermally insulated liquid immersioncavity 30, and an immersion cooling/chilling medium 40.

The immersion cooling/chilling medium 40 can include a cooling liquid orsubstance 45, such as but not limited to ice and water, and/or watersaline solution, and/or propylene glycol and water mix, and/or vegetableglycerin and water mix, and/or any glycol mix, and/or glycerin pluswater mix, and/or a non-toxic liquid anti-freeze similar to anti-freezeblend such as described in the “Ice-Accelerator Aqueous Solution” U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/163,063 filed Jan. 24, 2014 to the sameinventor as the subject invention, which is incorporated by reference inits' entirety.

TABLE 4 shows the various temperatures that can be used for the liquidcooling medium or substance.

TABLE 4 LIQUID COOLING MEDIUM/SUBSTANCE TEMPERATURES Broad Range NarrowRange Preferred −20 F. to +34 F. −5 F. to +32 F. +5 F. to +20 F.

The number values in TABLE 4 can include the exact number values listed.Additionally, each of the number values can be approximately thosevalues, where the term approximately includes +/−10%.

The liquid immersion temperatures below −3 F can very difficult to workwith due to premature freezing of contents inside canned containers.Also, some embodiments (for example in a commercial and/or vendingmachine application of this invention) will seek to minimize time ofcooling by using liquid immersion temperatures on the lower end (such asnear 0 F), while home units can benefit from using Liquid Immersiontemperatures nearer to the desired supercooling temperatures of 15 F to18 F in order to allow a supercooled beverage to remain in the liquidindefinitely (after it has been supercooled) without the risk offreezing.

In other words, a home apparatus unit(such as those described in thisapplication) can be designed in a way that slightly sacrifices speed ofsupercooling in order to allow for a secondary function (indefinite stayinside the machine) of the supercooled beverage.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the device 10 can further include a lowerbeverage container holder 50, one or more high-volume liquid“turbulence” pumps 60, a liquid immersion temperature sensor 80 which isin communication with the user interface microcontroller mechanism 200,an optional beverage container temperature sensor 90, which can be incommunication with the user interface controller.

The device 10 can further include an optional self-containedrefrigeration and heat exchange system 100, which can include acompressor 120—condenser 140 evaporator 130 refrigeration system inseries. The motor 20 and compressor 120 can be D/C(direct current)electronic devices, a single or dual rechargeable battery 28, 150 systemcan be used to power the entire apparatus. Alternatively the motor andcompressor can be A/C (alternating current) powered via standardelectrical outlets.

Electrical connections comprising standard A/C power are shown as item160 and 170, whereas D/C power connections are shown as wall-pluggedtransformers 161 and 171 and/or 12V automotive cigarette-lighteradapters 162, 172.

The method of operation can involve 1) first filling the liquidimmersion cavity with cooling liquid or substance 45, Such as but notlimited to ice and/or water saline solution, and/or propylene glycol andwater mix, and/or vegetable glycerin and water mix, and/or any glycoland/or glycerin plus water mix, and/or a non-toxic liquid anti-freezesimilar to anti-freeze blend such as described in the “Ice-AcceleratorAqueous Solution” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/163,063 filed Jan.24, 2014 to the same inventor as the subject invention, which isincorporated by reference in its' entirety.

The cooling liquid in the liquid immersion cavity can be used to obtaina desired liquid medium temperature that is many degrees below freezing(32 F).

If the optional self-contained refrigeration unit 100 is attached, itwill be turned-on and the heat-transfer plugs 95 will be removed so theliquid can flow through the heat transfer system via a pump (not shown)in the refrigeration unit to cool the liquid immersion medium. This isrequired if ice is not used in the liquid immersion medium, but optionalwhen ice is used. In the drawing in FIG. 1, a liquid immersion mediumtemperature of 6.5 F is shown on the touch-screen user interface control200.

2) Next the user selects the desired supercool (or non-supercool)temperature for the beverages to attain, the size and type of beverage(drawing depicts a standard 12 oz canned beverage), the startingtemperature of the beverage, and removes the motor head and beverageholding apparatus (20, 25, 26, 28, 90) and places a beverage containerin the holder. The touch-screen timer, which can be an app on acell-phone or other electronic device, such as but not limited to alaptop computer, personal computer, and the like, and operated remotelyvia wireless connection (not shown) will show the estimated time forcooling the beverage to the desired drinking temperature selected. Thedrawing depicts an estimated time of 30 seconds. Note: specializedbeverage containers (not shown) that are designed to work with thepresent invention for home-made or custom mixed beverages that are notmanufactured in disposable containers are part of the present inventionand may be sold with the device or sold separately.

3) Next the user places the beverage container in the holder 26 andinserts the beverage down into the liquid immersion medium where it isheld in place via the tension spring appendages 50. Note: the centerarea where the beverage is inserted may be protected with a screen-likecylindrical mesh (not shown) that keeps ice cubes out of the center areafor easy insertion and ease of operation during rapid spinning. The meshmust allow the free-flow of liquid immersion medium into and away-fromthe beverage container. An optional switch (not shown) at the bottom ofthe beverage tension spring apparatus 50 may be used to communicate withthe controller that a beverage is in the system and ready for cooling.

4) Next the user presses ‘go’ or ‘start’ or other begin-cooling commandon the user interface 200 and the device automatically spins thebeverage and rapidly reverses direction over and over according to themicrocontroller algorithms. When the timer is complete, the deviceautomatically stops spinning and alerts the user that the beverage hasreached the desired temperature and the operation is complete. In thecase of supercooling, it is possible the device can be equipped with anautomatic telescoping base (as shown in FIGS. 3-4) to rapidly eject thecooled beverage from the liquid immersion medium to prevent nucleation(freezing) of the beverage.

5) Finally the user removed the beverage from the liquid immersionmedium (if it has not been automatically lifted or ejected), removed thecontainer from the holding apparatus and opens the beverage containerfor consumption. In the case of supercooling, the beverage will providea “slush-on-demand” effect when nucleated via a variety of means such asslamming on a table or inserting a very small piece of ice into thebeverage. The system is then ready to be used again, and will be capableof cooling and/or supercooling dozens or more standard beverages in anygiven outing with or without electricity (if ice is used and/orbatteries are charged) and should be constantly ready for use at amoments' notice.

FIG. 2 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention 310with a top-mounted high-speed bi-directional motor 320, and othersystems similar to those in FIG. 1. Of note is the clear, double-walled(or triple-walled) glass or plastic liquid immersion cavity 330, and a“see-through” self-contained refrigeration unit 400.

FIG. 3 shows a multiple beverage unit 480 similarly designed to theapparatus in FIG. 1, but with the capability to simultaneously rapidlycool several different and varying sized beverage containers in the sameliquid immersion medium. For simplicity, the drawing leaves out many ofthe detailed components shown in FIG. 1. An optional telescoping support485 below the beverage containers can be used to rapidly andautomatically eject the beverages from the liquid immersion medium inorder to prevent freezing (nucleation) of the beverages if left in theliquid immersion medium after supercooling is complete. FIG. 4 shows thetelescoping support 485 being fully extended.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate preferred embodiments of a built-in orself-contained touch-screen user-interface supercooling Timer 500, 700,their methods and designs. The apparatus 500 described in FIG. 5 ismeant to show possible displayed input selections and outputs of asupercooling user-interface timer control and display utilizing built-inelectronics and algorithms. The user interface of the present inventioncan contain more, less, or other inputs, selections and outputs thandepicted.

The device can contain a circuit board 510 and a touch screen display520. The touch-screen display can contain a variety of user selectedinputs such as the desired supercool temperature 550, the container sizeand type 560, the starting drink temperature 570, the start-end button580, a reset button 590, a container position selection 600, up and downarrow selections 610, a turbo-pump on/off selection 620, a bag ormembrane use selection 630, and other selections as required. Theoutputs to the user interface may include a display of the liquid mediumtemperature 530, a countdown timer 540, a battery level indicator (ifappropriate) and a container position indicator (not shown).

The timer apparatus 700 described in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes the entiretouch-screen display 500 described in FIG. 5 set into a self-containedcase 710, 715 with protective transparent lid 730, rechargeable batteryand connectors 725, a mounting bracket 740, a standardized power adapterand connector 790, 780, and standardized jack 770 and precisiontemperature probe 750 and small pump 760. The small pump is turned-onperiodically via control software algorithms to time the operating ofthe pump to maximize turbulence within the liquid immersion medium. Forexample, pumps can create more turbulence in liquid immersion mediums.

The software algorithms can control the pumps to stir the liquid mediumaround the temperature probe for several seconds prior to taking atemperature reading in the case of stagnant liquid medium.

The apparatus may contain an audible alarm (not shown) to alert users ofcertain conditions including “timer-done” activity and/or the ability toautomatically turn on/off the spinning motor head, change speeds or rpm,and automatically remove the beverage from the liquid cooling medium.

The software algorithms contained in micro processors(computer) in theapparatus can be capable of calculating the amount of time required toattain the desired supercooling temperature for the beverages based on anumber of inputs including the liquid medium temperature and thoselisted above and/or others.

The software algorithms in the computer can change rotation speeds,switching times based on size and type and shape of the beveragecontainers (cans or bottles, plastic or glass, differentshapes(cylindrical, bottle, square, rectangular), and the desired finaltemperatures starting from either room temperature or refrigeratedtemperature that can include approximately 34 F.

The apparatus may be manufactured as an integral part of the variousliquid-immersion beverage supercooling devices mentioned in the presentinvention or may be manufactured as a stand-alone device to be used inany standard beverage cooler.

While the preferred embodiments show containers being bottles and cans,the invention can be used to rapidly cool and chill other shapedcontainers, such as square, rectangular, triangular, and the like.

Although the preferred embodiments describe rapidly cooling beverages,the invention can be used to rapidly cool and chill desserts, and fooditems, and the like.

Although the preferred embodiments have the beverage containers beingchilled to be mounted by being immersed in a housing of cooling liquid,followed by alternatively rotating and counter-rotating, the inventioncan be used with other cooling techniques. For example, an insert suchas a pipe, tube, oblong shape can be inserted into the cap portion ofthe larger bottles, such as the 64 ounce or 1 liter or 2 liter or 3liter bottle, and can contain the cooling liquid sealed from thebeverage inside of the beverage container. The beverage container canboth rotate in the immersed cooling fluid and rotate about the insertthrough the cap, so that the cooling fluids substantially decrease thetime for chilling the beverages in the beverage containers.

Other embodiments can allow for the larger containers, such as a 2 literbottle, and the like, to not have to be immersed in a liquid housing,where the beverage container is in a bath effect. The invention canallow for eliminating the main housing so that the beverage containersare not immersed in any cooling liquid. The cap portions of the beveragecontainers, can be mounted to the motors, through the cap portions,where elongated inserts(tubes, pipes, oblong shapes) are inserted intothe beverages inside of the container. The inserts would contain coolingliquids in either a stationary form or being circulated in and out ofthe inserts by pumps. The beverage containers would be continuouslyrotated and counter-rotated about the inserts.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it haspresumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such othermodifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings hereinare particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth andscope of the claims here appended.

I claim:
 1. A method for providing slush-on-demand in closed beveragecontainers, comprising the steps of: immersing a closed beveragecontainer of a liquid in a cooling substance; alternatively rotating andcounter-rotating the closed beverage container in the cooling substanceto rapidly cool the liquid in the beverage container to a selectedcooled temperature below approximately 34 F; and instantly convertingthe liquid inside the closed beverage container to turn into slush. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: providing a canas the closed beverage container.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of: providing a bottle as the beverage container. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling substance is a chilledliquid.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step ofmounting via a mount the closed beverage container upright in a housing.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of alternatively rotating andcounter rotating includes the step of: continuously alternativelyrotating and counter-rotating the mount and the beverage containerbetween approximately 500 rpm and above approximately 500 rpm.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of alternatively rotating andcounter-rotating includes the step of: switching between each of therotating and the counter-rotating directions between approximately 1/10and above approximately 1/10 of a second.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of: providing a display for a temperatureinput; providing a temperature sensor for the cooling liquid; providinga temperature sensor for the beverage container; providing a motor forthe mounted container; inputting a selected chilled temperature for thebeverage container onto the display; and automatically alternating therotating and the counter-rotating of the beverage container until thetemperature sensor for the beverage container reaches the selectedcooled temperature.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofinstantly converting includes the step of: slamming the closed beveragecontainer on a surface.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofinstantly converting includes the step of: inserting ice into the closedbeverage container.
 11. A system for creating slush-on-demand fromrapidly cooled closed beverage containers, comprising: a housing with acooling substance inside; a mount supporting a closed beverage containercontaining a liquid inside, wherein the closed beverage container isimmersed in the cooling substance; and a motor for alternativelyrotating and counter-rotating the closed beverage container in thecooling substance to rapidly cool the liquid in the beverage containerto a selected cooled temperature below approximately 34 F, wherein thebeverage inside the container is cooled to a selected cooledtemperature; and a slush causing effect for converting the cooled liquidinside the beverage container to instantly become slush.
 12. The systemof claim 11, wherein the mount supports the closed beverage container inan upright position.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the closedbeverage container includes a closed bottle.
 14. The system of claim 11,wherein the closed beverage container includes a closed can.
 15. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the cooling substance is a chilled liquid.16. The system of claim 11, wherein the motor continuously andalternatively rotates and counter-rotates the mount and the beveragecontainer in the immersed substance between approximately 500 rpm andabove approximately 500 rpm,
 17. The system of claim 11, whereinswitching time of the motor between each of the rotating and thecounter-rotating, is between approximately 1/10 of a second and aboveapproximately 1/10 of a second.
 18. The system of claim 11, furthercomprising: a temperature sensor for the cooling substance; atemperature sensor for the beverage container; a display for atemperature input, so that a selected chilled temperature is inputtedonto the display, and the motor automatically alternates between therotating and the counter-rotating of the beverage container until thetemperature sensor for the beverage container reaches the selectedcooled temperature.
 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the slushcausing effect for instantly causing slush inside the closed containerincludes slamming the closed container on a surface.
 20. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the slush causing effect for instantly causing slushinside the closed container includes inserting ice into the closedbeverage container.